PAGE 4, THE HERALD, Tuesday, July 11, 1978

EDITORIAL

If all the psychologists and all the philosophers
and all the government “experts” in the world
were suddenly to disappear - you know what the
world would do? It would turn to taxi-drivers. I
am sure they could take over without losing a
psyche, missing an opinion, or failing to start a
new fad, trend or cult.

From Vancouver comes a report of one
average taxi-driver pundit -a man named Flint.
Dave Flint, to be exact.

Dave thinks - and when taxi drivers “think” it
is a statement of fact, rather than a supposition:
that older drunks and prostitutes are among the
best passengers taxi drivers get. (Remind me
the next time I am thinking of calling a cab.
Perhaps if I hoist a few quick drinks before the
cab gets here, I’ll create a better impression.
You know what taxi drivers think of Editors, of
course!)

.“It’s the young guys drinking beer and
smoking pot ... they’re so unpredictable,” says
Flint, -.whose credentials include | being.
President of the Vancouver Taxi Drivers
Association. .

What gets D.V. really uptight, apparently, is
«|. When a man and a woman get in a cab and
start swearing.” (Dave does not say whether it

Vander Zalm Says:

‘AND STAFF SOCIAL WORK

x

is before or after they are told the fare for the
trip that this takes place.’’)

“I belong to the old school - if there’s a woman
around you just don’t swear” says reverend -
pardon, taxi driver, Flint. ;

Experienced? Dave has been hacking cab for
more than 20 years, now (less than half the
amount of years I have been at the wheel)
averaging 40 customers on a 12 hour shift on a
Friday or Saturday night. —

Does he ever get bored? “...every face is
different.” says Dave, (Who would have thought
it? Who else could haye been so discerning to
make such an observation!)

“T-like the challenge - you never know where
you're going!’ (You don’t know where you're
going, Dave?)

Flint said that in an average week, drivers get
into four or five disputes with customers.

“Pye had the odd fight. Once I was off for
three days because of a big, dumb,
longshoreman. He had pretty sore fists...’’ (We
know, Dave. You wore him out using your body
as a punching bag. That’s how you won!)

Asked what he would do if he was robbed at
gunpoint or knifepoint. Flint said he would

that will help families work

i

: A Vancouver Cab-Driver Reflects

probably give the money to his assailant.

The President of the Vancouver Taxi Driver's
Association does not like the idea of a protective
shield sealing off the customers from the driver,
because it would make his job too impersonal «
and from the sound of things, he obviously is the
“personal” type. ssi; oo.

‘The job is hard enough as it is. With that
(glass partition) we'd start talking to ourselves”
- L always thought taxi drivers did. Does that
mean they have been talking to ME all these
years when I took cabs - and I didn’t realize it?

Flint added, cab drivers do not carry weapons
for protection except the odd tire iron under the
Beat.

“Once the police heard this guy was carrying a
gun in his cab. Well, they nearly took his cab
apart, looking for it. Turned out it was only a
starter’s pistol.” St

“For awhile, some drivers started carrying
Mace for protection. But that was outlawed.
Now a lot of them are carrying around aerosol

‘hair spray. It'll blind you, just like that!”

(Funny, but I have never seen that mentioned on
the T.V, hair spray commercials! Ladies, - and
gents - please take warning.’’ ;

Parents Must Pay Towards Cost of Child’s Services

maxinywn contribution from: Under the income test posity

‘Tall you a secret, Dave. I used to always carry
an aerosol can of oven spray, in my parka
pocket. It works like a charm. But IT was for
polar bears, Did it work? You bet. I never have
been bitten by a polar bear - evenonce!

Finally, Dave F'lint, President of the Van-
couver Taxi Drivers Association, said there
should be a system whereby drivers could pull a
switch (I thought they'd heen doing that for
years!) in their cabs if they ever got in trouble.
This would activate a microphone built into the
roof in the car which would set off a signal at the
cab company’s office.

But, “It’s up to the owners of the cab industry
to spend the money,” he said. “‘It would only
cost $30 a car.”

And if the cab company won't, Dave, may I
suggest the drivers pay for it themselves. It’s
the cheapest life insurance policy I’ve heard of
yet. You know, I hear the business is getting
pretty sticky, these days.

Dave sure sounds like he’s got something
there, to me. What do our local cabbies think?

And a Happy Tuesday to all our readers in
Kitimat, Thornhill, Terrace, Sue Narrows,
Kitamaat Village, Cedarvale, Kitwanga,
Stewart - and of course, Cable Car Crossing!

“We are not imposing

tne available income’ he financial

Peliclea which emphasize
the responsibility of parents
dn caring for their children
were detailed today by
Human Resources Minister
Bill Vander Zalm.

The policy clarification
establishes guidelines for a,
partnership between parents
and the Ministry and spells
out which services will be
fully subsidized and which
will require parental con-
tributions.

Family services delivered
by Ministry staff in support
of parental efforts-in their
own home will be delivered
free of charge. These would
include the Family Support
worker program, the Infant
‘Development PROGRAM

SERVICES. ;

Financial contributions
from parents will continue to
be expected for services
purchased from local
agencies, Buch ag
homemakers, day care and*
special services to children.
Day care for handicapped
children at integrated
centres will now be fully
subsidized on a half-day
basis.

All families with a child in
need of care away from
home will now be required to
make parental contributions
towards the cost of such care
as if the child were at home.

“This approach is based on
the view that the first

should rest with parents,”
sald Vander dZalm.
“Ministry services should
play a supportive role and be
provided with the fpar-
ticipation ‘and co-operation
-Of parents,"

Vander Zalm noted that
the guidelines parallel other
new programs which have
recently enhanced the ability
of Ministry staff to assist
families within the home,

“We have recently an-
nounced the hiring of 169
Family Support workers who
will be assisting families to
deal with their own problems
in the home.” he explained.
“In addition, we have placed
child service coordinators in
17 regions of the Province to

bring together programs

out their difficulties,
“Moreover, we have
greatly expanded the income

test so that even when.

contributions are required a
family will not face an im-
possible financial burden; in

fact, the most they will be.

asked to contribute is the
normal cost of caring for a
child,

“as a Ministry and as
government we should be
there to assist families, not
to take over,”’ he said.

The level of contribution
will be determined by the
same income test which now
applies to persons seeking
subsidy for day care and.

‘homemaker services. The

any parent will be $114.30 per
month,
“We have tried to set a

$114.30 represents the rate

no contribution is required
for the family's net income

‘up to $690 per month, In

addition, if one parent is
working there is an ad-
ditional exemption of $10,
bringing the total net Income
ceiling to $780 before a
contribution would ‘be

paid to foster parents for required.

care of children age birth to
five years. Foster rates
graduate according to the
child's age and we have
selected the lowest rate
paid.”

As an example of how the
contributions .would be
applied, Vander Zalm cited
the case of parents with two
children where one child
nesds: foster placement.

“Let's say the family
requires a service and the
net family income In this
case is $800 per month. This
would mean that the family
has $20 available for the cost
of service ($800 income
minus $780 exemption).

“However, policy
has reduced the level of
contribution to 50 percent af

said, “In other words, the
family would only be
required to pay 50 percent of
$20 or $10 per month and the
Ministry would subsidize the
remaining cost of the ser-
vice,

The Minister noted that
under the old income test
policy the exempt income
ceiling would average only
$645 per month and the
family would be required to
pay 100 percent of their

remaining available income -

for the cost of the service.

“Tn other words, the same
family with a net income of
$800 per month would have
been required to contribute
$155 ($800 minus $645) to the

major
requirements on parents
who must relinquish some of
their responsibility to the
state,

“A family would have to
have net earnings over $1,000
per month before they would
have to contribute the
maximum for service.
Exceptional family cir-
cumstances can also be
considered. We are merely
asking for continuing par-
ticipation for the normal cost
of care that all other parents
have to assume.

“'sT want there to bea clear
message that big, paternal
government is not golng to
assume responsibility for the
individual.”

responsibility for children .

VICTORIA REPORT

"by Cyril Shelford

Heroin-B.C.’s Fifth Largest Industry

One of the big issues debated this week was the
heroin treatment act which no one claims will
eliminate the problem, However we all hope it will
bring some relief to an extremely serious problem.
The extent of the problem is clearly outlined by the
Hon. R. McClelland in moving second reading
yesterday. Quote: . _

“Out out patient programs and community clinics
are the backbone of this program. The community is
the foundation upon which this whole program is built
and upon which our hopes are built, just as the hopes
for that member for Vancouver-East will be built on it.

To say that we're establishing some kind of a jail
system for addicts, is not only without foundation, it is
wildly imaginative. ;

The only thing we’ve heard from the side of the
house Is: ‘Let's quit. Let’s not try. Let’s give 1p.
That’s the attitude that those losers have had all their
‘Hives. “Let's give up.” . .,

Mr. Speaker, the member for Rossland-Trall (Mr.
D'Arcy) said the heroin problem is an industry. I
think that’s the way he put it. Well, you can bet your
boots it’s an industry. It's the fifty largest industry in
this province. ihren probably in total $400
million to $500 million in illicit money per year. .

I'd like to just take you through a quick scenario,
Mr. Speaker. Let me tell you about what happens to
heroin and how the industry develops. It costs $7,500
to buy a pound of heroth, 30 percent pure, in Hong
Kong. Add $3,000 to the courier and you find that you
have a pound of heroin that can be sold. in British
Columbia for as much as $42,000. So for an investment
of just over $15,000, the importer makes a profit of
$26,000. The distributor who buys the pound of heroin
from the importer for $42,000 adulterates. that pur-
pose. After stepping on and cutting the original heroin
twice, he has four pounds of a weakened product
which he can sel] for $4,000 an ounce.

This will earn him $256,000, Mr. Speaker $214,000
above the inital investment of $42,000. The mid-
dleman buys heroin at $4,000 an ounce and is able to
sell it at $400 for a bundle of 25 capsules. With 12
bundles to the ounce, the original pounds, cut twice to
make four pounds, can now be sold for $358,000. The
potentlal profit.at.this level, after the payment of
$256,000 to the distributor, is over $100,000. The street-
level dealer buys a bundle of 25 heroin capsules for

Individual capsules are sold at different prices in
the province, depending on where you are. But the
cheapest price in Vancouver is about $35.

So if all 22,500 capsules that are yellded from that
original pound were sold at the lowest price, the In-
come realized would be $784,000. It could be higher.
The minimum profit after the outlay of $358,000 is
deducted is $339,000. The total potential profit
generated by one pound of imported heroin is
therefore over $730,000. You bet It’s an industry. ,That
member went on to say there is little justification for

bill. . . _ Le,

" With an industry like that, there is little juatification
for this bill. Sixty percent of the crime in British
Columbia Is heroin related. The Chief of Police for the
City of Vancouver, in a television statement the other
day, said that probably $1 million a day is belng stolen
in Vancouver to support the heroin habit. Litde
justification. What kind of crimes are being com-
mitted to justify a bill of this kind? More than 60
murders and 24 altempts that the police-of. this
province can tell you about, He cailed prostitution a
victimless crime. Well, I suppose it is a victimtess
crime is some ways. But it sure isn’t a victimless
crime for the prostitute who is on the streets at the
mercy of a mp who is forcing that persom to
prostitute her body so that she can get $100 or $200 or
$300 a day in order to maintain that pimp’s habit.

That's nota victimless crime, Mr. Speaker.” ... end of

quote .
This is only part of the story and doesn’t tell of the

suffering of the addicts themselves and the heartaches

caused to their family and friends. . .

In my travels around the province I find nothing but
sympathy for the addict and complete contempt for
the importer, the middleman and the distributor and
condemnation of the Federal Government for doing
away with capital punishment against the wishes of
the vast majority. In a recent survey in Victoria out of
7,000 people 84 percent indicated they wished a return
to capital punishment and a referendum should be
held at the next federal election, I’m.confidentit would
pass with ao’ overwhelming majority.

In my opinion anyone what creates an addict is
guilty of a worse crime than murder as the suffering is
far greater.

Auto deaths
at ten per day

Canadians are killed in problems. When we have

automobile accidents at the said all that there is to be
rate of more than tena day said about the makers and
and it has been estimated maintainers of automobiles,
that between five and ten: we silll have to come to

percent of the beds in our
general hospitals are oc-
cupied by traffic-accident
victims. Gurhighways are .
awfully bi .
Faulty ea) and
mechanical failure have
contributed algnificantly to
the blood-sacrifice exacted
from us for the privilege of
havin automobiles.
Manuiacturers, prodded by
blic opinion and govern-
mental action and probably
by their own consciences,
are showing increasing
nsibility in the design
making of automobiles.
Most garagemen seem to be
men of basic honesty and
competence, but there Is
ample evidence that some of
them do careless work on our
cars and truck.s
But if every manufacturer
and rageman agreed not
to puta vehicle on the road
until it had received Ralph
Nader's personal stamp at
approval, wewould still hava
safety |

serious road

terms withreaponsibilities of
drivers, your responsibilities
and mine, -

A few years ago the
Roman Cafholic Church in
France declared certain
driving faults to be '‘sins”,
which must be confessed. A
Spokesman for the French
bishops pointed out that
these are all ‘sins of pride’,
and among them he illegal

Ngerous speeding, a

ageing, and drunken

ving. We are ell proud of

our driving ability; one gets
the impression that about 95
percent of all drivers con-
sider themselves above
average indriving abllity.
Many of us, perhaps most of
us, undergo subtle per-
sonalit
get behind the wheel of a

werful automobile -- and a
alse and danger ous pride is
an important element in
these changes. .
"Carelessness on the roada
is sometimes 6 crime - itis
always a sin.”

changes when we |

Victoria, B.C, - That fir seediing which is the centre of
attraction, and those children, will reach maturity at
about the same time, The seedling was special - the 40
millionth planted by coast division of Crown Zellerbach
Canada Ltd, Ceremony took place recently In company's

Nanaimo Lakes region on Vancouver Island. On hand to
do planting honours, complete with hard hat, shovel and

Wood Energy ConversionStudied

..B.C, Energy Commission Chalrman.Norman Gish has
announced the completion of a major study which evaluated
current technology for the conversion of wood wastes into
energy. ’

.. The study covered a wide range of techgology, particularly
those systema suitable for operation intawniills, plywood
Plantes and similar operations.

. Prepared by B.H, Levelton & Associates Ltd,, the study
was commissioned by the B.C. Wood Waste Energy Coor-
dinating Committee, which is chaired by Gish and includes
representatives from the federal and provincial govera-
ments and the Council of Forest (ndustries.

.. The types of wood waste conversion systenis examined in
the study Include euspencion burners, fluldized bed buriers,
gasifiers, and multi-chamber burners, All the systems are
currently onthe market or are in an advanced experimental
stage. :

«The conversion syatems were evaluated according to a
number of criteria, such as atage of development, size of unit,
fuel requirements, capital and operating costs, and en-
vironmental acceptability.

. “The report should be very useful for the forest industry,’
said Gish, ‘‘in helping them select the most appropriate
system for thelr particular operation. It has been designed
for use as a reference, and includes considerable detail on
each system as well os a summary chart.

..'The completion of the report is also very tlmely alnce It
coincides with the federal announcement of grania to the

forest Industry to assist conversion from fossil fuela to woed, |

waste energy syatems,"'

. Coptes of the report are available from the B,C. Energy
Commission, 2100 - 1117 West Hastings Street, Vancouver,
B.C. Vé6E 2.7,

cost of that same service,

boots, was Forests Minister Tom Wateriand. Children,
who also planted trees, are from Oyster River School in
_ B.C, (Forest Service photo) .

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